--- title: "Writing Clearly and Concisely" description: "William Strunk Jr.'s *The Elements of Style* (1918) teaches you to write clearly and cut ruthlessly. Apply these rules to task that requested by user." type: skill canonical_url: https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/skill-520 source: "Claudary" difficulty: intermediate author: "Claude Code Knowledge Pack" date: 2026-07-10T11:45:00.591Z license: CC-BY-4.0 attribution: "Writing Clearly and Concisely — Claudary (https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/skill-520)" --- # Writing Clearly and Concisely William Strunk Jr.'s *The Elements of Style* (1918) teaches you to write clearly and cut ruthlessly. Apply these rules to task that requested by user. ## Overview --- name: write-concisely description: Apply writing rules to any documentation that humans will read. Makes your writing clearer, stronger, and more professional. --- # Writing Clearly and Concisely ## Overview William Strunk Jr.'s *The Elements of Style* (1918) teaches you to write clearly and cut ruthlessly. Apply these rules to task that requested by user. ## All Rules ### Elementary Rules of Usage (Grammar/Punctuation) 1. Form possessive singular by adding 's 2. Use comma after each term in series except last 3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas 4. Comma before conjunction introducing co-ordinate clause 5. Don't join independent clauses by comma 6. Don't break sentences in two 7. Participial phrase at beginning refers to grammatical subject ### Elementary Principles of Composition 1. One paragraph per topic 2. Begin paragraph with topic sentence 3. **Use active voice** 4. **Put statements in positive form** 5. **Use definite, specific, concrete language** 6. **Omit needless words** 7. Avoid succession of loose sentences 8. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form 9. **Keep related words together** 10. Keep to one tense in summaries 11. **Place emphatic words at end of sentence** ### Section V: Words and Expressions Commonly Misused Alphabetical reference for usage questions # The Elements of Style (1918) *Public domain text by William Strunk Jr.* ## Contents - [Writing Clearly and Concisely](#writing-clearly-and-concisely) - [Overview](#overview) - [All Rules](#all-rules) - [Elementary Rules of Usage (Grammar/Punctuation)](#elementary-rules-of-usage-grammarpunctuation) - [Elementary Principles of Composition](#elementary-principles-of-composition) - [Section V: Words and Expressions Commonly Misused](#section-v-words-and-expressions-commonly-misused) - [The Elements of Style (1918)](#the-elements-of-style-1918) - [Contents](#contents) - [I. Introductory](#i-introductory) - [II. Elementary Rules Of Usage](#ii-elementary-rules-of-usage) - [Rule 1. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's](#rule-1-form-the-possessive-singular-of-nouns-by-adding-s) - [Rule 2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last](#rule-2-in-a-series-of-three-or-more-terms-with-a-single-conjunction-use-a-comma-after-each-term-except-the-last) - [Rule 3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas](#rule-3-enclose-parenthetic-expressions-between-commas) - [Rule 4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing a co-ordinate clause](#rule-4-place-a-comma-before-a-conjunction-introducing-a-co-ordinate-clause) - [Rule 5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma](#rule-5-do-not-join-independent-clauses-by-a-comma) - [Rule 6. Do not break sentences in two](#rule-6-do-not-break-sentences-in-two) - [Rule 7. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject](#rule-7-a-participial-phrase-at-the-beginning-of-a-sentence-must-refer-to-the-grammatical-subject) - [III. Elementary Principles Of Composition](#iii-elementary-principles-of-composition) - [Rule 8. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic](#rule-8-make-the-paragraph-the-unit-of-composition-one-paragraph-to-each-topic) - [Rule 9. As a rule, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence, end it in conformity with the beginning](#rule-9-as-a-rule-begin-each-paragraph-with-a-topic-sentence-end-it-in-conformity-with-the-beginning) - [Rule 10. Use the active voice](#rule-10-use-the-active-voice) - [Rule 11. Put statements in positive form](#rule-11-put-statements-in-positive-form) - [Rule 12. Use definite, specific, concrete language](#rule-12-use-definite-specific-concrete-language) - [Rule 13. Omit needless words](#rule-13-omit-needless-words) - [Rule 14. Avoid a succession of loose sentences](#rule-14-avoid-a-succession-of-loose-sentences) - [Rule 15. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form](#rule-15-express-co-ordinate-ideas-in-similar-form) - [Rule 16. Keep related words together](#rule-16-keep-related-words-together) - [Rule 17. In summaries, keep to one tense](#rule-17-in-summaries-keep-to-one-tense) - [Rule 18. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end](#rule-18-place-the-emphatic-words-of-a-sentence-at-the-end) - [V. Words And Expressions Commonly Misused](#v-words-and-expressions-commonly-misused) ## I. Introductory This handbook summarizes the essentials of plain English style. It focuses on the rules of usage and principles of composition most often broken, offering a compact alternative to exhaustive manuals. Master the guidance here, then look to the best authors for finer points of style. ## II. Elementary Rules Of Usage ### Rule 1. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write, Charles's friend Burns's poems the witch's malice This is the usage of the United States Government Printing Office and of the Oxford University Press. Exceptions are the possessive of ancient proper names in *-es* and *-is*, the possessive *Jesus'*, and such forms as *for conscience' sake*, *for righteousness' sake*. But such forms as *Achilles' heel*, *Moses' laws*, *Isis' temple* are commonly replaced by the heel of Achilles the laws of Moses the temple of Isis The pronominal possessives *hers*, *its*, *theirs*, *yours*, and *oneself* have no apostrophe. ### Rule 2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last Thus write, red, white, and blue gold, silver, or copper He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents. This is also the usage of the Government Printing Office and of the Oxford University Press. In the names of business firms the last comma is omitted, as, Brown, Shipley & Co. ### Rule 3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas The best way to see a country, unless you are pressed for time, is to travel on foot. This rule is difficult to apply; it is frequently hard to decide whether a single word, such as *however*, or a brief phrase, is or is not parenthetic. If the interruption to the flow of the sentence is but slight, the writer may safely omit the commas. But whether the interruption be slight or considerable, he must never insert one comma and omit the other. Such punctuation as Marjorie's husband, Colonel Nelson paid us a visit yesterday, or My brother you will be pleased to hear, is now in perfect health, is indefensible. If a parenthetic expression is preceded by a conjunction, place the first comma before the conjunction, not after it. He saw us coming, and unaware that we had learned of his treachery, greeted us with a smile. Always to be regarded as parenthetic and to be enclosed between commas (or, at the end of the sentence, between comma and period) are the following: \\(1\\) the year, when forming part of a date, and the day of the month, when following the day of the week: February to July, 1916. April 6, 1917. Monday, November 11, 1918. \\(2\\) the abbreviations *etc.* and *jr.* \\(3\\) non-restrictive relative clauses, that is, those which do not serve to identify or define the antecedent noun, and similar clauses introduced by conjunctions indicating time or place. The audience, which had at first been indifferent, became more and more interested. In this sentence the clause introduced by *which* does not serve to tell which of several possible audiences is meant; what audience is in question is supposed to be already known. The clause adds, parenthetically, a statement supplementing that in the main clause. The sentence is virtually a combination of two statements which might have been made independently: The audience had at first been indifferent. It became more and more interested. Compare the restrictive relative clause, not set off by commas, in the sentence, The candidate who best meets these requirements will obtain the place. Here the clause introduced by *who* does serve to tell which of several possible candidates is meant; the sentence cannot be split up into two independent statements. The difference in punctuation in the two sentences following is based on the same principle: Nether Stowey, where Coleridge wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, is a few miles from Bridgewater. The day will come when you will admit your mistake. Nether Stowey is completely identified by its name; the statement about Coleridge is therefore supplementary and parenthetic. The *day* spoken of is identified only by the dependent clause, which is therefore restrictive. Similar in principle to the enclosing of parenthetic expressions between commas is the setting off by commas of phrases or dependent clauses preceding or following the main clause of a sentence. Partly by hard fighting, partly by diplomatic skill, they enlarged their dominions to the east, and rose to royal rank with the possession of Sicily, exchanged afterwards for Sardinia. Other illustrations may be found in sentences quoted under Rules 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, and 18. The writer should be careful not to set off independent clauses by commas: see under Rule 5. ### Rule 4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing a co-ordinate clause The early records of the city have disappeared, and the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape. Sentences of this type, isolated from their context, may seem to be in need of rewriting. As they make complete sense when the comma is reached, the second clause has the appearance of an afterthought. Further, *and* is the least specific of connectives. Used between independent clauses, it indicates only that a relation exists between them without defining that relation. In the example above, the relation is that of cause and result. The two sentences might be rewritten: As the early records of the city have disappeared, the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. Although the situation is perilous, there is still one chance of escape. Or the subordinate clauses might be replaced by phrases: Owing to the disappearance of the early records of the city, the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. In this perilous situation, there is still one chance of escape. But a writer may err by making his sentences too uniformly compact and periodic, and an occasional loose sentence prevents the style from becoming too formal and gives the reader a certain relief. Consequently, loose sentences of the type first quoted are common in easy, unstudied writing. But a writer should be careful not to construct too many of his sentences after this pattern (see Rule 14). Two-part sentences of which the second member is introduced by *as* (in the sense of *because*), *for*, *or*, *nor*, and *while* (in the sense of *and at the same time*) likewise require a comma before the conjunction. If the second member is introduced by an adverb, a semicolon, not a comma, is required (see Rule 5). The connectives *so* and *yet* may be used either as adverbs or as conjunctions, accordingly as the second clause is felt to be co-ordinate or subordinate; consequently either mark of punctuation may be justified. But these uses of *so* (equivalent to *accordingly* or to *so that*) are somewhat colloquial and should, as a rule, be avoided in writing. A simple correction, usually serviceable, is to omit the word *so* and begin the first clause with *as* or *since*: | Original | Revision | | --- | --- | | I had never been in the place before; so I had difficulty in finding my way about. | As I had never been in the place before, I had difficulty in finding my way about. | If a dependent clause, or an introductory phrase requiring to be set off by a comma, precedes the second independent clause, no comma is needed after the conjunction. The situation is perilous, but if we are prepared to act promptly, there is still one chance of escape. When the subject is the same for both clauses and is expressed only once, a comma is required if the connective is *but*. If the connective is *and*, the comma should be omitted if the relation between the two statements is close or immediate. I have heard his arguments, but am still unconvinced. He has had several years' experience and is thoroughly competent. ### Rule 5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma If two or more clauses, grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction, are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon. Stevenson's romances are entertaining; they are full of exciting adventures. It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark. It is of course equally correct to write the above as two sentences each, replacing the semicolons by periods. Stevenson's romances are entertaining. They are full of exciting adventures. It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark. If a conjunction is inserted the proper mark is a comma (Rule 4). Stevenson's romances are entertaining, for they are full of exciting adventures. It is nearly half past five, and we cannot reach town before dark. A comparison of the three forms given above will show clearly the advantage of the first. It is, at least in the examples given, better than the second form, because it suggests the close relationship between the two statements in a way that the second does not attempt, and better than the third, because briefer and therefore more forcible. Indeed it may be said that this simple method of indicating relationship between statements is one of the most useful devices of composition. The relationship, as above, is commonly one of cause or of consequence. Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as *accordingly*, *besides*, *then*, *therefore*, or *thus*, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required. Two exceptions to the rule may be admitted. If the clauses are very short, and are alike in form, a comma is usually permissible: Man proposes, God disposes. The gate swung apart, the bridge fell, the portcullis was drawn up. Note that in these examples the relation is not one of cause or consequence. Also in the colloquial form of expression, I hardly knew him, he was so changed, a comma, not a semicolon, is required. But this form of expression is inappropriate in writing, except in the dialogue of a story or play, or perhaps in a familiar letter. ### Rule 6. Do not break sentences in two In other words, do not use periods for commas. I met them on a Cunard liner several years ago. Coming home from Liverpool to New York. He was an interesting talker. A man who had traveled all over the world and lived in half a dozen countries. In both these examples, the first period should be replaced by a --- Source: [Claudary](https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/skill-520) · https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com